What's Next in the Cinematic Swamp!

     Whew!!!  The end of the Oscars for another year is a time of great joy here at The Movie Frog because it gives me a chance to catch up and focus on some other subjects.  It is also a stressful time as I realize that the only thing left to this year's awards coverage is my own Best of 2012 series and I still have several key films to watch before we are ready to get started on The Froggies.  Anyway, I basically wanted to take a few moments to tell you what to expect in the next month or two here at The Movie Frog!
  1. Reviews, reviews, and reviews:  Oscar season left my REviewing way behind my viewing.  Unfortunately, I have several Now in Theater reviews to post for films that are seriously on their way OUT of the theaters towards home viewing.  Please bear with me as I try to knock these out and get more current.  My DVD reviews will definitely be focused on the remaining 2012 releases for the next several weeks.  Some of my In Theaters viewing will be picking up films like No as they reach Atlanta, but my coverage of 2013 releases in the theater will probably start with Oz the Great and Powerful...I can't resist.
  2. My second priority is going to be the revival of the Classic Cinema Series, which should get back up and going next weekend.
  3. Before March is out I plan to write a few pieces highlighting some of the films I'm most excited about in the coming year.  It should be very similar to the short series I did to launch last year's season.
  4. Of course, the next BIG thing is going to be The Froggies, my Best of 2012 series.  I still have fifty 2012 releases that I would IDEALLY like to see before I write them, but it largely depends on how soon Middle of Nowhere gets released on DVD more than anything (believe me, if it had played in Atlanta, I would have caught it in the theater).  In the meantime, I was fascinated by some of the thematic threads that ran between this past year's great films and have decided to write a series of articles on this topic.  I'm calling it The Road to the Froggies.  Look for it in early April.

     And that's it for now.  Prepare for a barrage of reviews this week so I can get current, and a whole bunch of other stuff just over the horizon.  When I look at where The Movie Frog is today compared to just one short year ago, it literally amazes me.  Thank you for reading, thank you for spreading the word, and believe that this next year is only going to get better.
                                                                Froggy

Oscar Winner Buzz and Predictions - Picture & Director

     We're almost there, my little tadpoles.  In less than thirty-six hours, another Awards will have come and gone, and the cycle will start anew (well, it already did at Sundance, but we'll talk about that next week).  This will be my final category by category analysis article, but these are still not my official predictions and I still have a few more posts to go before the ceremony.  With all that I still have to do in mind, lets's get started...

Best Director
     The buzz says...
  1.(1) Steven Spielberg - Lincoln
  2.(2) Ang Lee - Life of Pi
  3.(5) David O Russell - Silver Linings Playbook
  4.(10) Michael Haneke - Amour
  5.(9) Benh Zeitlen - Beasts of the Southern Wild
  Leaving the Rankings: Ben Affleck - Argo, Katherine Bigelow - Zero Dark Thirty, Tom Hooper - Les Miserables, Paul Thomas Anderson - The Master, Quentin Tarantino - Django Unchained
     And my thoughts...
  1. Steven Spielberg - Lincoln...I'm pretty shaky on this call, but it DOES seem like the most logical choice. Two previous wins should not be as prohibitive to Spielberg as they might seem, considering the length and depth of his body of work.  The quality of his final product is (while not MY favorite film represented here) inarguable.  Even in the filmography of one of the greatest, it is a stand out.
  2. Michael Haneke - Amour...Any other year, I would never be putting the foreign language film director second, but I think that the votes will be widely split here, and passions for both the director and his film run high.  We'll just have to see.
  3. David O Russell - Silver Linings Playbook...Mostly because he seems to be gaining momentum and you should never count out the influence of producer Harvey Weinstein.
  4. Ang Lee - Life of Pi...Just a few short weeks ago, I would have placed Mr. Lee's odds much higher, and the director's buzz and accolades were everywhere just last month.  Since then...????
  5. Benh Zeitlin - Beasts of the Southern Wild...I would LOVE to have placed this brilliant young newcomer higher on the list, but even a big old "Beast"iac (I'm coining it) like me has to admit that of all the nominees in this category, his victory would surprise me the most.

Best Picture
     Buzz would have it...
  1.(2) Argo
  2.(1) Lincoln
  3.(5) Silver Linings Playbook
  4.(3) Zero Dark Thirty
  5.(4) Les Miserables
  6.(6) Life of Pi
  7.(7) Beasts of the Southern Wild
  8.(11) Amour
  9.(10) Django Unchained
  Leaving the rankings:  The Master, Moonrise Kingdom, Flight, Anna Karenina, The Dark Knigt Rises, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Impossible, The Sessions, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Skyfall, Hitchcock
     And of course, I go my own way...a little...
  1. Argo...It won the Globe, the Critics Choice, SAG ensemble, the Producers Guild, the Director's Guild and the Writer's Guild.  Yes, it would be first film in a long time (since Driving Miss Daisy) to win Best Picture without a corresponding directorial nomination, but it would the first one ever to win all the awards I just mentioned and not win the Oscar.  Plus, everyone feels really bad for director Ben Affleck after his snub and this is the only way they have to honor him.
  2. Silver Linings Playbook...The only thing that MIGHT upset this basket is the influence of papa Weinstein, so I'm going with this as the alternate...for now.
  3. Lincoln...It has the most nominations, but that doesn't mean as much as it used to.  Also, it is a film that most people respect more than they passionately love and that could hurt in preferential voting system like the one used for this category.
  4. Amour...Again, passions run high for both the film and director and it is quite possibly the most critically acclaimed movie represented, so...
  5. Life of Pi...This film obviously has widespread support (with 11 nominations), but it is far more likely to be honored for its technical achievements.
  6. Django Unchained...Again, its a passion vote, and Tarantino is well loved, but it probably won't happen this year.
  7. Beasts of the Southern Wild...I put it this high on the list only because the film has few detractors and those who love it do so absolutely.
  8. Zero Dark Thirty...After making out like a bandit in the early critics award, the film seems to have quietly slipped out of competition immediately.
  9. Les Miserables...Of all the films, this is the only one that has actually elicited great disdain from some.

    And that's all the categories.  Expect me to return shortly when I will be giving you my buzz-meter's final prediction, then I'll give picks based on how I would vote, and finally you'll be getting my final predictions.

Related Articles:  Oscar Winner Predictions & Buzz: Of Snubs and Triumphs (preview), Musical Techs (Score and Song), Noisy Techs (Sound Editing & Sound Mixing), Pretty People Techs (Costume Design & Make-Up and Hairstyling), Pretty Picture Techs (Cinematography & Production Design), Finishing Touch Techs (Editing & Visual Effects), Toons of Any Length (Animated Feature & Animated Short), Docs of Any Length (Documentary Feature & Documentary Short), Screenplays (Adapted & Original), Supporting Players (Supporting Actor & Supporting Actress), Actor and Actress, Foreign Films (also covering Short Live-Action), "Lincoln" Perks, Best That the Summer Wields? (Beasts of the Southern Wild review),  Acting Master Classes in Private "Sessions", Didn't Quite Take "Flight", Can You "Master" Your Nature?, "Impossible"y Well Crafted, Anna Conundruma (Anna Karenina review)

Froggy's 13 Day Halloween Film Festival

     Okay, so Halloween is and has always been one of my favorite holidays and it has been far too many years since I actually celebrated it.  I plan to change that this year.  I have already requested off my day job, and am invited to a party that night.  I am fully intending to go whether my invited date decides to go or not (you know who you are, and, yes, you are definitely still invited).  Unless I end up co-ordinating something with someone else, I might just go as The Movie Frog.  I'll post pics if I do.
  To help me (and all the rest of you stuck in this swamp) to get more in the holiday mood, I have compiled a Halloween Film Festival for the end of October.  I have chosen thirteen (my FAVORITE number) movies to feature this year starting on October 19th and running right through the big night.  Below you will find the full list with (I promise) minimal commentary so that you can start planning right away.  This is not an all time top horror movies list, nor a countdown of that sort, although I did save the very best ones for right at the end.  I tried to pick a variety.  I hope you enjoy them.  I have.

19th - Halloween  (1978, PG-13)
     Why not start with the obvious, I often say (and do).  John Carpenter's classic slasher about crazed killer Michael Myers is one of the absolute classics of the genre.  It would be worth revisiting even without Jamie Lee Curtis cast in the role that made her famous.

20th - Labyrinth (1986, PG)
     I wanted to include a couple of very family friendly options on this list (I think kids get into Halloween too, right?) and I've always had a real soft spot for this Jim Henson directed spooky fantasy musical.  It stars David Bowie (who is QUITE good as the goblin king), and a very young Jennifer Connelly.  "You remind me of the babe."

21rst - The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
     This silent era classic is visually stunning (especially for the period), with effects and perspective work way ahead of its time.  It's also rather eerie.

22nd - The Lost Boys (1987, R)
     Groan if you must.  Yes, its a mid-80's Corey and Corey vehicle, but it is the best movie they made by a mile.  Jason Patrick and a brilliant Keifer Sutherland (best thing he did before 24, hands down), with Dianne Wiest.  They are all trapped in a small sea-side town with vampires, and a carnival, and a great soundtrack.  Twilight eat your still beating heart out.

23rd - Poltergeist (1982, PG)
     This was the first horror movie that I used cable television to sneak and watch and it scared the crap out of my tiny self.  Trees, clowns, steak, swimming pools, nothing is sacred.  One of my favorite haunted house movies ever.  The performance of Zelda Rubinstien as Tangina is worth the price of admission alone.  "All are welcome in the light!"

24th - Rope (1948)
     In my opinion, the most under rated of all of Hitchcock's films, this subtle thriller is probably the least obvious inclusion on this list.  It is not an overt horror flick, nor does it have any supernatural element.  It's a creepy piece of work, though, and Jimmy Stewart playing it sinister is absolutely terrifying.

25th - The Cabin in the Woods (2012, R)
     I absolutely loved this Joss Whedon produced and written flick. It had much of the spirit of his television shows (included some familiar faces for longtime fans), a young central cast led by Chris Hemsworth, and cameos galore.  It even had some great self aware humor, good scares, and a twist or two.

26th - 28 Days Later  (2002, R)
     When a great director takes on a genre film like this and actually makes it work, there is just nothing better.  Starring Cillian Murphy, this Danny Boyle scream fest is maybe my favorite zombie film of all time.  Really scary.

27th - Rosemary's Baby (1968, R)
     Speaking of great directors...Roman Polanski creates a real mindf--- of a thriller in this mysterious and subtle work of art.  Ruth Gordon steals the show...among other things.

28th - Pan's Labyrinth (2006, R)
     In this Spanish language feature, auteur Guillermo del Toro creates one of the most imaginative and twisted worlds ever brought to the screen.  Inspired horror fantasy.

29th - Frankenstein (1931)
     Frank Whales' classic original remains the best screen adaptation of the classic film ever.  As touching as it is terrifying (not so much because of the monster), it is always worth another look.

30th - The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993, PG)
     Tim Burton's first effort to dip his hand into animation remains his best.  Fascinating characters, memorable songs, and an absolutely gorgeous and singular world to get lost in.  Share it with any kids that are convenient.

31rst - The Shining (1980, R)
     After the trick or treating is over, the adults can try to drift off to sleep while checking into the Overlook with Stanley Kubrick's re-imagining of the classic Steven King story.  One of Nicholson's most famous roles, and one of the best scary movies ever.  Look out for the two little girls....

     So, if I go as the Movie Frog...I promise pictures.  Have a Hop...er...Happy Halloween!!!

Apologetic Amphibian

     I know, I know, I haven't posted in a week, not even the Best of 2011 series article promised for last Saturday, or the Classic Cinema Series post promised for today.  I promise I am not giving up on the Frog (quite the opposite) and everything should get back to normal next week.  I'm not making any money off of The Movie Frog (yet) and I work nine to ten hours a day at my day job, plus three to four more on this blog, five days a week.  Add in a few more hours of Frog time on my two days off and I don't have a lot of spare time.  It's always a race to get my articles posted on time under normal circumstances.  This week was my birthday week and I just let everything fall to the side for a moment, Frog-wise.  I needed the downtime to avoid total burnout.  I love doing this site but it is a lot of work.
     I plan on putting up one or two review posts before Saturday, then the acting awards on Saturday.  Obviously, the Best of 2011 series is now going to stretch into August by one week, but we do what we can.  Next Wednesday will see number one in the Classic Cinema series revealed and discussed.  Until the Best of 2011 series is concluded, I plan on posting it on Saturdays, Classic Cinema on Wednesdays, and at least two other posts during the week, ideally a Now in Theaters review and a set of DVD reviews.  The remaining weeks in August, I will probably move the Classic Cinema Series to Saturdays temporarily, to give it a little boost in readership before moving it back to Wednesdays in September when Saturdays will be occupied by Oscar buzz and prediction updates. 
     I mentioned earlier that I make no money off of doing this as of yet, but our readership is growing quickly.  Pageviews increased over 400% between March and April, then increased steadily over the course of the next two months, and it looks like July is going to yield an increase of at least 100% over June.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!  Thank you for reading the Frog, and thank you to those of you who have recommended it to others.  I have no idea how my large reader pools in the U.K. and Russia found my little blog, but I thank you and hope I don't come off as too much of an "ugly American" in the perspective I bring to this page.
     I still need your help, though, to make the Frog bigger, so I can devote more of my time to it and produce a greater volume and variety of material for your enjoyment.  So...tell all your movie buff friends about the Frog.  Follow the blog.  Follow me on Twitter @themoviefrog.  Post links on Facebook.  Like articles on Google Plus.  Retweet me on Twitter.
     Above all, please feel free to throw your two cents in by leaving comments.  I promise to try to respond to all of them in a prompt manner.  I can't make this a more compelling read without some insight into what my readers like, dislike, and want to see more of. 
                                                               Happy Belated Articles
                                                               Froggy

While I was away!!

Ok, obviously I cannot go back and give you reviews of everything my cinema addicted self watched between September and now but I can give you a list of which ones I highly recommend.  Below I have done just that listing the films that I would give four, four and a half or five star ratings.  If a film got four stars and sounds interesting, watch it.  If it got four and a half and you don't hate the genre, watch it.  If it got five, watch it no matter what.  Films marked with an asterisk received pre-Oscar mini Twitter reviews which you can check out there @themoviefrog.  Let's start with the five star films:

2010 - Incendies: French Canadian mystery, Foreign Language film nominee 83rd Oscars
           In a Better World:  Danish made drama, Foreign Language Film winner 83rd Oscars

2011 - The Tree of Life: VERY abstract drama, Best Picture nominee 84th Oscars  *
           Drive: Gory B action movie with A-list acting, script and production values *
           A Separation: Iranian family drama, winner Foreign Language Film 84th Oscars *
           Pina: German documentary on the famous interpretive choreographer in 3D, Doc nominee 84th *
           The Descendants: Quirky family dramedy, Best Picture nominee 84th Oscars *
           Rango: Wacky cartoon for kids and adults, winner Best Animated Feature 84th Oscars *
           The Artist:  Black and white, silent, romantic comedy, winner Best Picture 84th Oscars *
           Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy:  Cerebral Brit spy thriller, 4 Oscar nominations *
           Hugo: 3D fanciful adaptation of children's novel, Best Picture nominee 84th Oscars *

Then, the four and a half star films:

2010 - Undertow: Gay themed Peruvian romantic ghost story
            Carlos: Six hour biopic crime drama about terrorist Carlos the Jackal

2011 - Hannah: Action thriller with 16 year old girl as the action hero
           Red State: Horror thriller about an EXTREME right wing cult.  Oh, and funny.
           Crazy, Stupid Love:  Romantic comedy, probably the year's best
           Margin Call: drama about the dawn of the recent economic crisis, Screenplay nominee, 84th Oscars *
           Midnight in Paris: time hopping romantic comedy, nominated for Best Picture 84th Oscars *
           Attack the Block:  Indie Brit sci-fi movie with a touch of comedy
           50/50: dramedy about a young man diagnosed with cancer
           Moneyball:  sports drama, Best Picture nominee 84th Oscars *
           A Better Life:  indie drama about the plight of Mexican immigrants Best Actor nominee 84th Oscars *
           The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore: winner, Best Animated Short 84th Oscars *
           The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo: dark and gritty mystery thriller Best Actress nominee 84th Oscars *
       
and if you really have a lot of time (or a serious film addiction), the four stars:

2010 - Of Gods and Men: French drama about monks in a foreign war zone
            Love and Other Drugs: offbeat romantic comedy
            Mesrine: Public Enemy: biopic about famous French bank robber

2011 - Jane Eyre: Period drama based on the classic novel. Nominated for Best Costumes *
           Captain America: The First Avenger: the best of a bumper crop of super hero movies
           Bridesmaids:  Raunchy femal centric comedy.  Nominated for writing and Supporting Actress *
           The Devil's Double: dramatic thriller set in Sadam's Iraq
           Warrior: MMA fighting family drama, nominated for Best Supporting Actor *
           The Ides of March: Political intrigue drama nominated for Best Screenplay *
           Chico and Rita: Cuban adult romance nominated for Best Animated Feature *
           Hell and Back Again: War documentary about a wounded vet, Doc Feature nominee *
           Albert Nobbs: Cross dressing period drama up for two acting awards *
           Beginners: Gay themed family dramedy, nominated for Best Supporting Actor *
         
I have a few more films to watch (like Take Shelter, coming in today's mail!!!) before I feel comfortable making my best of lists for the 2011 season, but only a few, so we should have that soon.  In the meantime, happy viewing.

Hangin at my pad (or on my pad?)
Froggy
         
       

YES!!! The Movie Frog will continue!!!

     I do apologize for my absence.  Due to unforeseen circumstances in my personal life, The Movie Frog had to go on a temporary hiatus. I am going to blaze back in now, however.  I tried to open back up before last Sunday's grand event, but could not remember my blog password.  I know, clever right?
     In the meantime, I started a sister set of postings under TheMovieFrog on Twitter.  Look for thumbnail reviews there of all the Oscar Movies that I saw before the show (36 out of 46 features, and one of the shorts).  I still have not seen A Cat in Paris, Bullhead, Footnote, Monsieur Lazhar, In Darkness, W E, The Adventures of Tin Tin, Paradise Lost 3, Undefeated, or The Muppets, but will be correcting that ASAP.
     I will try to get out to the movies for 1 new release a week, whenever possible, and review it.  I will also publish thumbnail reviews of two to three rental or instant play movies, focusing on new releases and hidden gems whenever possible.  This weekend I could go see The Lorax, a new release quite likely destined to be an Animated contender next year, but I may reach back a couple of weeks and see The Secret of Arriety, of which the same thing could be said.
     I'm also going to do an Oscar wrap up post, an early Oscar preview post, and a list of very good movies I've seen while my postings have been nonexistent these last few months.  By months end I will have a top ten of 2011 list (yes, I know it is March, but there are a few things I must still see first:  Take Shelter, We Need To Talk About Kevin, Shame, etc).  April will probably be just movie reviews and maybe the beginning of my 1000 movies to see, until Cannes gets this year's Oscar race going in May.

This blog has not croaked,
The Movie Frog

Welcome to the Movie Frog

Hello....This...Is...The Movie Frog....

     And I am Froggy.  I will be your (sometimes snarky) host in an exploration of films worth watching, both past and present.  This doesn't mean we won't be looking at populist movies as well. Some ARE well worth watching and some are just more fun to mock.  I hope to fill this blog with a variety of articles and features, but we are going to begin with three series of articles.

     First off, it wouldn't be much of a film blog without the obligatory movie reviews.  I will try to see movies in current theatrical release as often as possible, but writing this blog is definitely not my full time job (if only) so be patient in that arena.  Hopefully many people will like this blog and that will take care of itself.  I will do my best to review at least one new release on DVD each week in the meantime, as well as any other films I watch.  My grading scale is one to five stars:  

         *              I loathed the film                              (2010 ex:  Jonah Hex)

         *1/2         I mostly loathed the film                   (2010 ex:  Cirque de Freak: The 
                                                                                  Vampire's Assistant)

         **            I disliked the film                             (2010 ex:   Why Did I Get Married Too?)

         **1/2       Meh...indifferent or conflicted          (2010 ex:   Salt)

         ***          I liked it. Guiltypleasureville            (2010 ex:   The Crazies)

         ***1/2     I liked it more Gp'ville suburbs        (2010 ex:   RED)

         ****        I liked it a lot. Good movie.             (2010 ex:  The Fighter)

         ****1/2   I kinda loved it.  Really good film.   (2010 ex:  The King's Speech)

     Five stars of course means that I absolutely loved it, thought it was great cinema, and would recommend it even to those who are not usually fans of its genre, subject matter or stars.  Out of the nearly 200 movies with 2010 release dates that I have seen, only eleven were worthy of this rating.  I've listed them below to give you some idea of how my tastes run.

         Animal Kingdom (maybe the best non-Italian American crime family movie ever)

         Biutiful (dark as hell, but just breathtaking)

         Black Swan (All About Eve meets Rosemary's Baby, brilliant)

         Exit Through the Gift Shop (any ambiguity over its authenticity only enhances its  

         themes)

         Gasland (highly educational and emotionally terrifying)

         How To Train Your Dragon (the best family film of the year)

         Inception (my favorite of the year)

         Madeo (or "Mother" in English, fantastic suspense flick, dynamic leading turn)

         Mary and Max (nobody saw it, but it was the finest animated film of 2010)

         The Social Network (powerhouse production overall, and the script...)

         Winter's Bone (I had no idea how great this was until it haunted me for weeks on 

         end)

     The second series of articles is going to be based upon a list I have assembled of 1000 movies worth watching.  I scoured numerous top 100 lists from a variety of resources including critics, bloggers, and popular opinion polls, including one list I wrote myself to come up the top 725 or so titles on this list, and then used a few other resources along with some of my personal favorites to round the list out.  It includes titles from the dawn of cinema through 2010.  I just can't decide where on the list to start sharing it with you.  I definitely want to save 901 - 1000 for the end.  Those choices are the most personal, surprising, and in some cases (I'm sure) contentious.  Starting at 1 and working back seems wrong as well, though.  I'm contemplating counting down from 500 to 1, and then from 501 - 1000.  Please, dear reader, let me know what you think.

     I will also be writing articles on the directors and stars that permeate this list as I go along. We will look at the shape of this list chronologically, the rise and fall of certain genres over time, etc...

     The third series of articles is actually the one I'm going to post on first.  These of course will deal with awards season predictions and the following of Oscar buzz.  I build my predictions on the tabulation of buzz.

     Some critic predicts a movie to get nominated, I give it buzz points.   I give buzz points for excessive publicity of an awards friendly nature, rave reviews that at least hint at awards potential, major film festival or precursor  awards acclaim, and odd x-factors like being picked up by the right distributor.  I won't bore you with too many details (unless there is some outcry for it by fellow borderline obsessive compulsives), but my calculations allowed me to guess the Oscar Nominations last year with 85% accuracy in all feature categories and 93% accuracy in the top eight (we won't discuss my accuracy with the shorts, but, hey).  I will of course, give my own forecasts of where the buzz may be heading, but these will appear after the current predictions.

     I know this initial hello has been a little dry, but things will really pick up speed tomorrow with my analysis of the current buzz on this year's Best Picture race.

                                                               Until then,

                                                               Froggy

Because the pad is mightier than the sword!!!